REALITY BITES BOTTOM DOGS
Lasley: Every job at Motherwell is in danger if we are relegated
SPLIT either side of a brief exile in England, Keith Lasley has devoted 16 years of his working life to Motherwell Football Club. It is stating the painfully obvious to suggest ending that association through relegation would break the 37-year-old’s heart.
Lasley, though, insists his personal situation is of little significance. Out of contract this summer, he is far more concerned about protecting the livelihoods of those around him at Fir Park.
The veteran midfielder’s commitment is unquestionable. Aside from his ability to still target a telling tackle, Lasley has also been assisting Stephen Craigan in coaching Motherwell’s Under-20s.
He is keenly aware of the damage sliding out of the Premiership could cause to a club now under fan ownership.
‘There’s so much good going on at the club,’ said Lasley. ‘But the biggest driver of all that good work is what happens out there on a Saturday.
‘If the worst was to happen, then, unfortunately, a lot of the good stuff going on — as well as players, staff, everyone — would be in jeopardy.
‘It’s a massive driver for us going forward. These last four games are vitally important to try to carry on what’s going to be a good future in the short, medium and long-term.
‘I don’t focus on myself. It’s about the whole club. Being at the club this long, you take your own personal side out of it.
‘I’ve not thought about next year in a professional capacity and what I’m going to be doing. It’s about getting us out of the play-off spot and being in the league next year.
‘I know how much it means to not just everyone at the club in terms of the staff and people doing so much off the park. It’s also the whole community and the fans.
‘I know how much this club means to the whole area. So where I’m going to be this time next year pales into insignificance in the bigger picture.’
A controversial 3-2 home defeat to Dundee last weekend left Motherwell in the dreaded 11th place, behind Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton on goal difference.
This afternoon’s visit from Ross County now provides an opportunity to prevent a deepening of existing worries.
Motherwell survived the play-offs two years ago with a comprehensive 6-1 aggregate victory over Rangers. Lasley, though, has no wish for a second taste of that draining process.
‘Horrible is the perfect word to sum it up,’ he reflected. ‘Horrible build-up and horrible in between the two games — regardless of us having a good lead.
‘In the second leg here, I’ve never looked at a scoreboard as much in my life to watch the minutes counting down.
‘It seemed like an eternity, but that’s the way it is. Then, at the end of the game, it’s relief more than anything.
‘The scoreline maybe suggests it was an enjoyable experience, but it was far from it. It’s something we want to avoid and we’re more determined than ever to do so. A boring seventh or eighth-placed finish would be lovely.’
While Lasley doesn’t need any telling, Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson has spent time underlining the wider implications of relegation to his squad.
‘I’ve tried to inspire people this week,’ he said. ‘I listened to John Hughes’ post-match interview (at Raith Rovers) and I thought he was 100-per-cent correct.
‘Humility among players is something that needs to be shown. There are a lot more people affected at this club than just the football staff.
‘We’ve got people in the kitchens, people who clean their boots, people who make sure everything is ready to go.
‘With the vast majority of people at this football club, there is a real affinity with the staff. We all eat dinner together. There is no them and us.
‘There are people who have been here for years and who have a real passion for the club. It is their life. If that doesn’t pull on your heartstrings and motivate you, then you probably shouldn’t be at the club.’
Robinson admitted assistant manager James McFadden could have a cameo role to play against County this afternoon, having coming through an Under-20s outing against Rangers earlier this week.
The 34-year-old former Scotland international last made a first-team appearance in October.
‘We are low on numbers,’ added Robinson. ‘Stephen Pearson hasn’t trained all week. Steven Hammell pulled out of training yesterday, but we’re certain he’ll be okay.
‘James has played some games now. He is just trying to get back to fitness to give us another option. He is not going to start the game, but we know the quality he has.
‘If we do use him on the bench, he would come on for ten or 15 minutes to try and get us a bit of ownership of the game. It’s an option that is available to us.’
If the worst happens, lots of good things at the club would be in jeopardy